Act One of Bruce Norriss Play Clybourne Park

The play Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris is set in a modest three-bedroom bungalow in central Chicago. Clybourne Park is a fictional neighborhood, first mentioned in Lorraine Hansberrys A Raisin in the Sun.   At the end of A Raisin in the Sun, a white man named Mr. Lindner tries to convince  a black couple not to move into Clybourne Park. He even offers them a substantial sum to purchase back the new home so that the white, working-class community can maintain its status quo. It isnt mandatory to know the story of A Raisin in the Sun to appreciate Clybourne Park, but it certainly enriches the experience. You can read a detailed, scene by scene summary of A Raisin in the Sun to enhance your comprehension of this play. Setting the Stage Act One of Clybourne Park takes place in 1959, in the home of Bev and Russ, a middle-aged couple who are preparing to move to a new neighborhood. They bicker (sometimes playfully, sometimes with underlying hostility) about various national capitals and the  origin of Neapolitan ice cream. Tensions mount when Jim, the local minister, stops by for a chat. Jim hopes for a chance to discuss Russ feelings. We learn that their adult son committed suicide after returning from the Korean War. Other people arrive, including Albert (husband of Francine, Bevs maid) and Karl and Betsy Lindner. Albert arrives to take his wife home, but the couple becomes involved in the conversation and the packing process, despite Francines attempts to leave. During the conversation, Karl drops the bombshell: the family that plans to move into Bev and Russ home is colored. Karl Doesnt Want Change Karl tries to convince the others that the arrival of a black family will negatively affect the neighborhood. He claims that housing prices will go down, neighbors will move away, and non-white, lower-income families will move in. He even tries to obtain the approval and understanding of Albert and Francine, asking them if they would want to live in a neighborhood like Clybourne Park. (They decline to comment  and do their best to stay out of the conversation.) Bev, on the other hand, believes that the new family could be wonderful people, no matter the color of their skin. Karl is the most overtly racist character in the play. He makes several outrageous statements, and yet in his mind, he is presenting logical arguments. For example, while trying to illustrate a point about racial preferences, he recounts his observations on a ski vacation: KARL: I can tell you, in all the time Ive been there, I have not once seen a colored family on those slopes. Now, what accounts for that? Certainly not any deficit in ability, so what I have to conclude is that for some reason, there is just something about the pastime of skiing that doesnt appeal to the Negro community. And feel free to prove me wrong†¦ But youll have to show me where to find the skiing Negroes. Despite such small-minded sentiments, Karl believes himself to be progressive. After all, he supports the Jewish-owned grocery store in the neighborhood. Not to mention, his wife, Betsy, is deaf — and yet despite her differences, and despite the opinions of others, he married her. Unfortunately, his core motivation is economic. He believes that when non-white families move into an all-white neighborhood, the financial value decreases, and investments are ruined. Russ Gets Mad As Act One continues, tempers boil. Russ doesnt care who is moving into the house. He is extremely disappointed and angry at his community. After being discharged because of disgraceful conduct (it is implied that he killed civilians during the Korean War), Russ son could not find work. The neighborhood shunned him. Russ and Bev received no sympathy or compassion from the community. They felt abandoned by their neighbors. And so, Russ turns his back on Karl and the others. After Russ caustic monologue in which he claims I dont care if a hundred Ubangi tribesman with a bone through the nose overrun this goddamn place (Norris 92), Jim the minister responds by saying Maybe we should bow our heads for a second (Norris 92). Russ snaps and wants to punch Jim in the face. To calm things down, Albert places his hand on Russ shoulder. Russ whirls toward Albert and says: Putting your hands on me? No sir. Not in my house you dont (Norris 93). Before this moment, Russ seems apathetic about the issue of race. In the scene mentioned above, however, it seems Russ reveals his prejudice. Is he so upset because someone is touching his shoulder? Or is he outraged that a black man has dared to put hands on Russ, a white man? Bev Is Sad Act One ends after everyone (except Bev and Russ) leaves the house, all with various feelings of disappointment. Bev tries to give away a chafing dish to Albert and Francine, but Albert firmly yet politely explains, Maam, we dont want your things. Please. We got our own things. Once Bev and Russ are alone, their conversation feebly returns to small talk. Now that her son is dead and she will be leaving behind her old neighborhood, Bev wonders what she will do with all of the empty time. Russ suggests that she fill the time up with projects. The lights go down, and Act One reaches its somber conclusion.